38/44 Heavy Duty Loads

[puebloshooter]

I am getting ready to start loading up some ammo for my 5 inch 38 Heavy Duty.

I have plenty of 158-160gn jacketed and coated bullets.

For powder I have lots of slow burning choices. Longshot, Power Pistol, Unique, Universal Clays, International Clays, N340, N350, 3N38.

Any suggested loads?

My main goal is to get an accurate load that will shoot to point of aim. I dont want to take a file to the front sight.

I checked around for +P data and none if it seemed to jive with the loads from back in the day.

 

[Old Corp]

I enjoy loading what I believe are close duplicates of the old original '.38 Hi-Speed' .38/44 loads.
They are limited to firing only in my c.1954 .38/44 HD (4") and any other .357's.

First I worked up from various articles and sources was a 158/160 gr cast LSWC or LSWC-HP with 12.0 gr. of 2400, standard small pistol primer.

Next is the same bullet with 6.0 gr. of Unique, same primer.

No undue pressure signs, both quite accurate and actually a lot of fun in the HD.
These are both quite energetic and probably surpass some current .357 commercial ammo. Don't own a chrono, but would be interested in how these clock.

Good luck, enjoy.

 

[magyars]

I recently acquired a 4" 38/44 myself.
Haven't started heavy loads yet.
I have had good results with3.7 gr Red Dot and a 158 gr SWC, CCI primer

 

[cowboy4evr]

puebloshooter : In In Handloader magazine , Dated October 2016 , 304 . Brian Pierce did quite an article of 38-44 loads using different powders and bullets . I would contact them and try to get a copy . Hope this helps , Regards Paul

 

[alwslate]

Original loads were not as hot as some folks load them today. Around 1145 FPS with a 158 gr bullet, probably lead, out of a 6 1/2" S&W Outdoorsman.

 

[StrawHat]

Do a search for Skeeter Suetonius 38 Special loads. Lots of information to be found.

For a time I favored the Thompson bullet (Lyman 358158) seated in the lower crimp groove over a healthy amount of 2400 powder.

Kevin

 

[dbarale]

I enjoy loading what I believe are close duplicates of the old original '.38 Hi-Speed' .38/44 loads.
They are limited to firing only in my c.1954 .38/44 HD (4") and any other .357's.

First I worked up from various articles and sources was a 158/160 gr cast LSWC or LSWC-HP with 12.0 gr. of 2400, standard small pistol primer.

Next is the same bullet with 6.0 gr. of Unique, same primer.

No undue pressure signs, both quite accurate and actually a lot of fun in the HD.
These are both quite energetic and probably surpass some current .357 commercial ammo. Don't own a chrono, but would be interested in how these clock.

Good luck, enjoy.

158LSWC with 5.0gr Unique is my go-to 38+P load. I have shot "a few" of those in all kinds of guns over the years. It's really not that hot at all and burns clean.

 

[DWalt]

2400 and H110 are generally the preferred propellants for top .38-44 loads, about 12 grains of either for 158 grain lead bullets. If you have a chronograph, jiggle your charge to get in the 1100-1150 MV range, which was the original factory specified MV. I wouldn't use anything faster than Unique or other similar burn rate powders.

Unless you actually have a need for .38-44 level loadings, I would just use standard velocity .38 Special recipes. Paper targets don't care.

 

[sniper]

158LSWC with 5.0gr Unique is my go-to 38+P load. I have shot "a few" of those in all kinds of guns over the years. It's really not that hot at all and burns clean.

My Go-To load for years, in four different guns has been 5.5 gr. Unique under 150-160 gr. Cast bullets, 357 brass. Chronoed 860 fps. 4" barrel, standard primers. Good load! I've been toying with the idea of increasing it to 6 gr. Unique, but haven't done it yet.
That little voice, saying" If'n it ain't broke, don't fix it!" You know!

 

[Inland7-45]

I have a second year production 38/44 HD 5" barrel. I plan to start bullet casting again after a long layoff from it. I have a 5 cavity Lyman mold for the 170 gr SWC. I plan to follow data in Lyman Cast Bullet manual. I am all out of Unique but I have 5 lbs of AC#5. I also plan to use these in my 6" model 27-2.

Anyone on the forum using the 170 gr SWC and AC#5?

 

[rockquarry]

I have a second year production 38/44 HD 5" barrel. I plan to start bullet casting again after a long layoff from it. I have a 5 cavity Lyman mold for the 170 gr SWC. I plan to follow data in Lyman Cast Bullet manual. I am all out of Unique but I have 5 lbs of AC#5. I also plan to use these in my 6" model 27-2.

Anyone on the forum using the 170 gr SWC and AC#5?

I used it years ago with the Lyman #358311 round nose design, about 160 grs., but it would certainly be worth trying with the 170 gr. as well.

 

[tops]

158 gr. LSWC, 12 grs. 2400, 6 in. Python. 1194 FPS. Larry